Curbing The Menace Of Sea Piracy In Rivers Water Ways
Solution to the incessant attacks by sea pirates on Rivers State waterways cannot be swept under the carpet until it is not only seen as a necessity but fully implemented by both the Government and the people respectively.
Issues Abattoir has severally discussed the problems especially on its opinion on the speedy completion of the on going Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro road, generally tagged as “Unity Road”.
It has become imperative for the Government and the people living around the coastal areas of Rivers State to rise up to the challenges scaring them on their faces as the unwanted lost of lives and properties are not only worrisome but life threatening.
It is on record in the state that several incidence that led to lost of numerous lives and properties had occurred and perpetrators are yet to be brought to book.
The most recent of these nefarious activities by men of the under world was the incident on Monday July 7th, 2014 on the Andoni water ways which two (2) 75 Horse powers outboard engines and speed boats were forcefully taken away from the owners at gun point in less than 20 minutes of operation.
Though there was no death recorded in the Monday attack, but it was worrisome the situation that the two separate engines and boats belonging to two respective men were taken away, subjecting them to the hands of hunger after long period of painful labour to acquire such properties.
There had been similar attacks by hoodlums but the recent was done right in the Creeks, perhaps where no one could have expected it.
All things been equal, the question on the lips of the people now is, could these pirates have committed such crimes without the assistance of indigenes? Or is it that the people are not security conscious? The answers to these questions would be provided later in this episode.
Security issues all over the world are treated with all amount of seriousness as no energy dissipated on it are wasted, because the life and wellbeing of the citizenry is of utmost importance to God Almighty.
Though there are several factors militating against the total eradication of the menace in the state, the government’s efforts in ensuring that calm returns to the water ways must be strengthened since crimes are on the high side on the sea.
Piracy is a crime against humanity, nature and God himself, hence should be done away with acknowledging human importance in creation and governance.
The act of piracy on any river is a complete destructive mechanism which crumbles almost all economic activity thereby affecting human endeavours and health.
It is at this point that it becomes necessary to identify certain factors that enhances it and could also disengage the operations of piracy on the water ways. They include the presence of indigenes in the circle of criminally minded group, lack of involvement of indigenes in fighting crimes, lack of security manpower, absence of sophisticated weapon, inadequate information and of-course lack of proper funding and others.
The presence of some unidentified indigenes in the terrorizing group serves as a booster to the unholy act of piracy since no criminal or pirate could operate without proper direction and such directives could not be given or aided by any other than the indigenes, who are conversant with the terrain of the area. It therefore implies that the presence of indigenes amongst any unholy group would negatively affect the people.
Again, if there is any check on the activities of hoodlums on the water ways without the inclusion of certain indigenes in the process, such checks might be less fruitful. A fight against sea crimes without involvement of indigenes might undermine the effort.
Consequently, insufficient security manpower also hinders operations of the trained team since vast areas may not be covered. Manpower is earnestly needed to enforce formidable attack against all forms of terrorism and piracy on Rivers water ways.
The group that operated on Andoni river last Monday July 7th, 2014 according to eye witness and of course victims of the ugly incident were carrying sophisticated weapons such as GP machine guns, if the report was true then it is obvious that no security agency or officer would want to risk his life attacking such group without sophisticated weapon too. Absence of better tools in the hands of whoever is concerned in defending the territory of a state or its nation cannot produce any better result not to mention safety of the citizenry.
Furthermore, inadequate information to the crackdown of hoodlums, pirates or any form of criminality would lead to breakdown of security situation in the state. Information is power and life, hence must be given prominence in security management especially as it affect the sea route in the state. If information is hijacked, delayed or denied then it presupposes that there is virtually nothing going on that would attract security alertness, therefore it is an integral part of building a sound and safe State.
Another factor that cages security operation in a state is lack of proper funding since no equipment can be procured without finance. Information requires financing in other to be prompt to any issue demanding immediate attention.
Like every other sector, the security sector requires proper funding so as to access the best or near perfect security situation.
The Government of Rivers State should take the responsibility of catering for those living at the coastal and fishing villages by providing security on the sea routes at least that would both encourage residents and commuters on their daily engagements.
It is expected of the Government of the state to strategize its security measures in tacking insecurity on the water ways. Riverine communities are in daring need of this assistance to restore their lost hope and fear of traveling on the sea.
Therefore, the naval operations on the waterways must be encouraged by providing all necessities to enhance its operations. It is also suggested that indigenes should be attached to the security agencies to facilitate the security job on the seas. Such indigenes must be those with vast knowledge of the people in the areas, who could identify real businessmen on the sea as well as hoodlums.
It is at this point that the Caretaker Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Elder (Hon) Sampson Gilbert Egop is commended for prompt intervention in the Militia attack against the residents of Oyorokoto Community.
Indeed, on receiving information on the attack and killing of about seven (7) persons at Oyorokoto, the Chairman immediately set every apparatus in place by first detailing the CSO to study and report back the situation, before meeting the people on tete-a-tete.
Measure to ensure and restore the needed lasting peace in the area is being worked out.
Let the State Government mobilize forces to nip the dastardly acts on the waterways, by so doing those using the sea routes to their domains would be encouraged to feel belonging to a state that cares.
The time to act is now.
